press release

release detail

Virtual Learning to complement traditional teaching at the University of York

Washington, DC - May 27th 2005 A new £1.4 million investment will extend interactive learning for thousands of students at the University of York.

The University is establishing a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which will give academic departments the option of delivering more teaching online to complement conventional class-based tuition.

Eventually, all the University's 10,500 students will be linked to the sophisticated Blackboard Academic Suite(™), opening opportunities for self-directed learning and making small group teaching easier through "live" online seminars and tutorials. It will give York one of the most advanced e-learning environments in the country.

The complete Blackboard Academic Suite, comprised of the Blackboard Learning
System (™), the Blackboard Community System (™) and the Blackboard Content
System (™) enables part-time, and distance learning students, and those on placements, to learn at any time and from practically any location. This is at the core of a Networked Learning Environment (™) and supports the University's commitment to community learning.

The University of York chose the Blackboard Academic Suite after an exhaustive consultation process, involving academic and administrative departments, staff and students.  The system is flexible and easy-to-use, and can be readily adapted by departments and services to develop customized software tools.

Academics say the system, which boasts an effective content management facility, will provide greater efficiency in course administration, allowing assignments to be submitted online and student progress to be tracked. It will give students direct electronic links to library and multi-media resources while also offering opportunities for departments to share resources. The system will also be used to enhance in-service training for all categories of staff.

Installation is likely to be completed next month followed by a test period during which students will be consulted on a range of issues including access.

Pilot courses are expected to start in January next year.  The system will be introduced on a phased basis and is expected to be fully operational by October 2008. The £1.4 million total cost includes training, support and staffing costs for the rollout of the system.

The University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Trevor Sheldon, said: "The VLE can be used to complement class-based activities all the way to the delivery of whole programmes online, and departments will be able to choose the extent to which they use it."

"The flexibility of the Blackboard Academic Suite will enable the VLE to grow in line with the University's needs while keeping pace with teaching requirements and good practice in online learning."

"The University is keen to ensure that this investment really has a positive impact on the quality, range and flexibility of teaching and learning activities at York and supports both staff and students."

"Blackboard is pleased to welcome University of York as a new member of the Blackboard Academic Suite family," said Michael Chasen, CEO Blackboard. "By setting up and fostering a Networked Learning Environment, York is paving the way in the future of teaching and learning, where academic institutions are connected and integrated with libraries, research labs, other institutions, advisors, alumni and many other elements of campus life."

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

A VLE Implementation Group, which represents academic and administrative staff, the University's Computing Service and the University Library, is responsible for implementing the system. An Academic Advisory Group is being established to offer guidance and reflect the views of the end-user community across the University.

About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard is a leading provider of enterprise software and services to the education industry. Formed in 1997, Blackboard began as a primary contractor to the IMS Global Learning Consortium of universities, formed to develop technical standards for on-line learning applications.  The first product was developed at Cornell University and today The Blackboard Academic Suite TM is a suite of three independent yet integrated e-learning software products, which enable a Networked Learning Environment.  The company’s headquarters is in Washington DC.

Blackboard’s UK customers include the universities of Durham, Cambridge, York, Dundee, Kingston and Sheffield Hallam and amongst FE colleges using Blackboard are Sunderland, Guildford and Brooklands colleges.

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent 10-K filed with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of May 5th, 2005. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to May 5th, 2005. 

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Contact:

Dr Richard Walker
Leader of the VLE Project
Implementation Group
York University
Tel: 01904-433850

Richard Price/Louise Stewart-Muir/Sue Glanville
EuroPR Group
Tel: +44 (0)20 8917 4900

sglanville@europrgroup.com
rprice@europrgroup.com
louise@europrgroup.com